Instagram for Instant Promotion

With social media becoming increasingly image oriented, it’s no surprise that photo sharing apps and communities are booming. Perhaps the most popular of these is Instagram, the smart phone-based app that allows users to take photos, apply cool retro filters and share them instantly with other Instagram users as well as their Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare accounts.

Instagram works similarly to other social sites in that it allows you to follow other users and comment on or “like” their photos. Users can also use Twitter-style hashtags to follow certain content. The most notable difference from other social sites is that Instagram is an exclusively mobile platform. However, a handful of websites such as Statigram, and Pinstagram allow users the ability to view and manage their images online as well.

As you might expect, Instagram is immensely popular with individuals who want to share photos of parties, dance recitals, vacations, and other unique moments in their lives. However, it can also be a great tool for businesses to promote products, services and events.

Here are a few examples of companies that have had big hits with Instagram campaigns:

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. took advantage of Instagram’s API to aggregate photos to their website “True Love in Pictures.” Followers were encouraged to upload photos inspired by the phrase, “It was true love when…” with the hashtag #TrueLovePictures. The result is a beautiful website that successfully reinforces Tiffany’s image as the place to find the perfect “little blue box” gift for the one you love.

A&E

A&E aggregated photos in a Facebook tab for its new western drama “Longmire” with the Longmire Out West-agram contest. Users were asked to tag photos that fit the theme “out west” with the hashtag #Longmire, and a prize was given for the photo that best exemplified the theme.

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival asked attendees to hashtag their photos with #Sundance2012, which created thousands of “visual check-ins” that created a buzz and served as free advertising for the event.

If you’re curious about how Instagram or other social media platforms can help promote your business, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.